Acumen helps nonprofits act like businesses

Acumen Solutions Inc.’s corporate goals focus on improving clients’ productivity through innovations — and the company approaches its philanthropy in much the same way.

Since 2007, the McLean technology consulting business has expanded its “nonprofit portfolio” to 25 local organizations, each of which has a senior Acumen executive on its board. This year, stipends and matching funds for those groups exceeded $125,000.

“What we are trying to do is really to look at the uniqueness of each organization and trying to identify how we can best serve them so that they become more businesslike in their operations,” says Margie Johnson, senior director of corporate care for Acumen, now in its second consecutive year of being named a Washington Business Journal honoree for the Jefferson Award.

An integral part of the company’s social responsibility program is its pro bono projects. During this year’s four projects, which extended from April to September, 28 employees contributed the equivalent of more than $250,000 in free technical services and resources.

In one project, employees combined a group’s seven databases into a single volunteer management platform. In another, they enhanced a donor and patient relationship system to help the American Childhood Cancer Organization.

“It’s not just about writing a check,” Johnson says. “It’s also providing service.”

But sometimes Acumen does have checks to pass out.

Last month marked the fourth annual Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause 8K, which garnered more than $140,000 in sponsorships — money that was distributed to 10 nonprofits. Acumen spread social media buzz for the race and flooded the community with news about the nonprofits to help them attract more long-term support.

Acumen Solutions Inc.

Total philanthropy budget: $410,000 annually (0.75 percent of the total company budget)

Community work: Places senior management on boards at local nonprofits, matches small volunteer teams with nonprofits

Website: www.acumensolutions.com

What is a Jefferson Award? A national nonprofit program that was formed 40 years ago to create a Nobel Prize for public service and now recognizes companies that build community service into their corporate culture. The Washington Business Journal will feature local nominees monthly and submit its 2012-13 finalist for the national awards in June. The next deadline for applications will be in December, and you can apply at https://www.jeffersonawards.org/nominate/local/Washington%20Business%20Journal.